The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-07-07

snow-shoes, or something in the to.
began liner" said she, looking inter.
ested-too intensely and demurely so.
Tor sincerely, IT he could have inter-
preted it Alright.
well, you can have any of those II
YOU IKE" he answered, lightly.
But he had dropped the soft white
hand, and Elizabeth wondered at
some vague change in his look and
manner, which she could hot define:
~ must deny myself OF any and Of
all, even the eleighing for to-day" she
replied, with regret that was unmis.
takably sincere.
II hope not the sieigh.fldc;;' he re-.
turned; in surprise. "A party Of OUR
A band Is going out; We are to have
supper and q little dancing; and then
the jaunt home by moonlight: We
bad .ad counted on having you with us,
Elizabeth"
!; She took q mental view of the tempt
ing pr0speet-the glorious sunlight,
and moonlight with the dazzling sky
above and the dazzling snow beneath;
OF the brilliant boulevard, with its
splendor and merriment of noddlng
plumes and tingling bells; of the band,
OF the dancing and the banqueting.
The view was alluring, certainly.
But then, the contents of that big
hamper were to be distributed. There
were her poor, her sick, her sorrow.
ing-each one waiting for her words of
counsel and comfort, for her more
convincing tokens of charitable intent
In the way of bread or medicine.
And then, there was q distressed
family only q few hours before
brought to her notice-the mother dy-
ing; the father temporary disabled by
some AMIDST fatal accident; and the
only child, d girl, young and fair like
herself-praying Heaven for the tri.
fling help which would keep their home
unbroken IN their season of trial.
All this passed before Elizabeth
mental vision in a brief moment, as
she stood listening to Mr.. Keith's
concluding utterance.
And in that brief moment her de-
cision was made. The prospect was
tempting, and the gay party had quite
counted on her being with them, very
likely, but the afternoon was sacred
to the unfortunate ones whose grieving
eyes would gladden. at her coming
whose depths OF misery would seem
but the deeper if she would TAIL them.
Il am awtully sorry" she said at
length in careless words, which belied
her serious thoughts. II should have
enjoyed the sleighing immensely. Ill
could have had little previous init
NATION OF the pleasure, l could have
awaited myself of the compliment and
joined our friends, of course. As it is,
l unluckily have a precluding engage
! ment"
with your dressmaker7'' Mr..
Keith observed smilingly, in voice
which somehow was unlike his own.
with Madam Sanrobe? Oh, she is
an artistic, and one of the most exact.
ing" said Elizabeth, catching her cue
from the observation and utilizing it
to the utmost. Her creations are
pertection-exQuisite dreams of har-
mony or contrast; but her fitting
seance, it is borrowing! and her bills
are absolutely appalling, as poor I'm.
Gle Guy can testify, if he would"
This diplomatic little fable-charm-
ing or otherwise-produced the effect
intended.
Mr.. Julius Keith bowed q courteous
Difference to her excuses, and as cour-
teously took his departure.
GLOW dearly, how adoring!y
could love her if she were only less
frivolous" he thought as he once
moro took the reins III his seal.gloved
hands and headed his belled and
prancing erays down the gay winter
street. "But mil ht as we'll, first as
last, accept the truth-that Elizabeth
Archleigh hasn't a thought or aim
above her gloves and dresses"
In the meantime Elizabeth Arch
leigh, standing in the oriel easement
| OF the elegant drawing-room, was
watching him out of sight with eyes
dim with tears.
"He hasn't an ambition above the
pastime of the moment" she thought
| the pageant of the snow carnival he
will see no visages pinched with want,
amid the music of the sleighina bslls
and banquet band he will hear no
| wall OF woe. His Indifference to the
means OF Ine neeQy IS
The rift within the lute,'
which will widen more and more until
we two shall drift apart forever"
1t was in an unwontedly sobered
and reflective mood that Elizabeth
started on her mission of sweet char
tiles.
| Her last visit was to the afflicted
family who had been incidentally
mentioned to her that morning.
But their immediate wants had al
ready been relieved.
lit was the rent that was bother
ing us, and Annie going wild fearing
the mother and me was to be packed
of to the hospital" the injured man
said to her. fannie can manage all
but the rent; she's earning little.
and Mr.. Keith, as paid the agent for
us, thinks he can get some lady he
knows to give her sewing home till l
am on my feet and at work again"
"Mr. Keith" she repeated wonder
HE is rare feeling young man, is
julius Keith" the other continued.
ut is many the likes OF US, and OF
them in the sorer trouble, he is help
ing out OF his pocket, or getting the
work, which is often better. Mebbe,
miss, you be tn, lady he WAS to bring
to see Annie about the sewing"
In her surprise, Elizabeth was
speeches..
TO befriend Annie was the project
Mr.. Keith had wished to suggest to
her consideration, without a doubt.
-. 4 n.
that he had deemed any explanation
useless.
How harshly she had misjudged him!
and how unworthy his love she must
have seemed in his sight!
Her surprise the next moment
changed to confused embarrassment